Projectile



E. W. BRANDT PROJECTILE Filed July 6, 1933 Sept. 11, 1934.

Patented Sept. 11, 1934 PATENT OFFICE PROJEC'I'ILE Edgar William Brandt, Paris. France Application July e, 1933, sum nmc'zazsc In France July 19, 1932 12 Claims. (01. 102-28) This invention relates to projectiles and to means for launching same.

In order to increase the initial velocity of projectiles, it has already been proposed to cause the pressure of the gases to act on a superficial area exceeding the cross-sectional area of the projectile. Thus, in a known type, the projectile comprises peripheral projections fitting in the grooves oi a taper gun. At the outset, the gases act on the rear surface of the projectile, the area of which is increased by that of the projections, which latter also serve to produce a close fit. During the course of the projectile in the bore, the projections are progressively driven-in by the walls of the bore and finally become flush with the outer profile of the projectile when the latter reaches the muzzle of the taper gun.

This known construction has the defect of requiring a special taper bore. Moreover, it atfords only a partial solution of the problem of increasing the eflectiveness of the projectiles against armour plate, because all that it accomplishes is to increase the initial velocity.

It is known, however, that this increase in initial velocity practically assures merely an illusory advantage unless the projectile displays aerodynamic characteristics and an interior organization which enable this increased velocity to be utilized for obtaining the required penetrative efiect.

Thus an ordinary ogivo-cylindrical projectile of homogeneous metal will tend to undergo deflection in coming obliquely into contact with armour plate, even when at very high velocity, The couple of deflection is the greater in proportion as the mass of the projectile is distributed over a greater length in relation to its calibre.

The present invention aims at providing means for increasing the initial velocity and penetrative power of projectiles, in order to remedy the aforesaid drawbacks, by imparting an increased initial velocity to projectiles which are fired in an ordinary cylindrical gun, whether of the rifled, smooth-bore or mixed type, and, at the same time, increasing their penetrative effect for a given velocity.

The means of the present invention are chiefly noteworthy in that they comprise a propulsive basal member which surrounds the rear end of the projectile and presents to the propellant an active surface of larger area than the actual rear face of the projectile, said member being arranged so as to detach itself from the projectile on issuing from the gun.

According to another feature 01 the invention,

the propulsive basal member has an outside diameter larger than that oi! the projectile, which it centres in the gun by keeping it always out of contact with the walls of the bore.

In the case of a rifled gun, the basal propulsive member oi the invention engages in the rifling grooves and imparts the rotational movement to the projectile to which it remains continuously attached until it issues from the muzzle.

Still a further feature of the invention is that 55 the projectile is provided, at the rear, with a core the mass of which is heavy in relation to the mass of the forward portion oi the projectile.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description:

In order more clearly to understand the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawing which illustrates by way of example various embodiments thereof and in which:-

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional elevation of a projectile provided with the device according to the invention and mounted in a socket of the ordinary type;

Fig. 2 is a cross section of the propulsive basal member along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the projectile issuing from the gun, at the moment of detachment of the propulsive basal member;

Figs. 4 to 8 are views, similar to Fig. 1, of constructional modifications;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of an ordinary projectile striking obliquely against an armour plate; and

Figs. 10 and 11 are cross sections of projectiles incorporating the devices according to the invention.'

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the device is supposed to be applied to a bullet 1 adapted to be fired bymeans of a musket, automatic firearm, pistol or other means of discharge.

The bullet l, of smaller calibre than the internal diameter 2 of the weapon, is mounted in a propulsive basal member 3 intended, in the 1 case of a rifled weapon, to engage in the grooves of the bore and to impart rotational movement to the bullet, to which it is secured in a suitable manner and which, at the same time, it retains in the centred position. The member 3 is so arranged that it becomes detached from the bullet on leaving the gun 4. Centrifugal force can be utilized, with advantage, for this purpose, the action of said force being facilitated by preparing for the disintegration of the member 3 by other suitable manner.

means of one or more saw cuts 5, as shown in Fig. 3, or else by constructing said memberof cylindrical segments suitably connected together during their course inside the gun, or in, any

' The rear bearing surface 6 of the projectile 1 against the member 3 is preferably tapered,

whilst the rear surface of the said member, facing thecartridge, is preferably in the form of a cup 7, with domedbottom, in order to facilitate the detachment of the member 3, on leaving the muzzle, by the blowing action of the propellent gases, as shown in Fig. 3. At that moment, the resistance of the air adds its actionto that of the gases in effecting the detachment of the basal member.

The contact surfaces of the projectile and basal member may, if desired, be provided with ridges vor indentations arranged so that the projections on the one engage in depressions in the other, in order to ensure positive actuation of the projectile by themember 3.

I of the gases when the shot is fired. Its external weight, with a view to lowering the amount of energy required for its propulsion, whilst main,- taining suflicientstrength to stand the pressure form is designed so as to facilitate its dislodgment from the 'breech8, whenthe shot isfired,

, without risk of fracture or carrying away the por= tion in front of the latter. Itis also suitably designed to produce a close fit between the bore and the projectile, and plays, to some extent, the part of a piston ring. With a view to improving the sealing effect and at the same time greasing the gun, the member 3 may be fitted with a wad 10 (Fig. 4) of graphitized asbestos, or other material calculated to reduce friction to a minimum and thus lengthen the life of the bore.

The entire member 3 may also be made of suitable material, moulded or compressed in the hy- '-'draulic press, so as to offer to the propulsive effect a sufflcient resistance, combined with maximum staunchness and minimum friction, enabling it to play its allotted part.

The member 3 may also be provided with pe- 'rlpheral grooves 11 (Fig. 5).

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the basal member comprises a washer 10 arranged on a mount 12 enchased in a neck 13 of the bullet 1.

A ring or fitting 14 may, if desired, be located in another neck 15 in the bullet 1, with a view to assisting to guide the latter and to maintain a close fit between it and the bore.

Fig. 8 shows the device according to the inventlon applied to an explosive projectile 1, mounted in a cartridge 8 and provided with a bursting fuse 16.

In general, projectiles in accordance with the invention preferably comprise a rear core 18 (Figs. '7, 10 and 11) of material of high specific gravity, and a nose or casing 19 of relatively low 1 mass and resistance, so that the deflection efl'ect transmitted to the core 18, in the event of oblique impact with an obstacle, such as an armour plate 20, 20', is practically nil. The material of the core is preferably concentrated in a minimum of volume and length, andwill approximate, as

nearly as possible, to the spherical shape (Fig. 10)

which, theoretically, reduces the deflection to a minimum in the event of: oblique impact, thus giving the highest'penetrative effect for a given mass and velocity.

The resultant OR. (Figs. 9, l0 and 11) of the reaction of the armour plate on the projectile will, in fact, for a given angle of incidence, pass through a point D that is nearer the centre of gravity G of the projectile in proportion as the form of the latter is the more concentrated, and

the nearer theline of this resultant is tothe centre of gravity, the smaller thecouple of deflection of the projectile. The action of said couple even becomes nil when the projectile is of such a shape that the perpendicular GN, drawn from the centre of gravity G to the plate 20' lies inside the surface of contact (Fig. '11). y

The provision of a core of high specific gravity adjacent the larger portion of the projectile offers besides the advantage of increasing the moment I Fig. 11- represents a projectile with an approxitoo long pitch, since intended for a bullet of I larger caliber. i

llti

mately: cylindrical corev with taper casing 19. When this casing is formed by'a shell which en- I closes the core 18, the frontal portion may be empty, or filled with a light and easily friable,

material, such as clay, baked earth, porcelain or any other convenient product. It is preferable to employ asubstance which is capable of increasing the coeflicient of friction between the armour plate and the heavy core of the projectile at the moment of impact.

In any event, the projectile 1 will be able to preserve its optimum aerodynamic form, and its passage through the air will not be hampered by any more or less projecting device such as collars or pads.

In order to prevent any escape of gas and to facilitate the propulsion, it is preferable that the grooves in the gun should be of easy pitch and free from acute angles.

The herein described device is applicable to arms of the most diversified types, as employed in the infantry, artillery or navy and using any kind of propellant irrespective as to whether the same be powder, compressed air, liquefied gas or the like, the basal member being of suitable design in each case.

It should be well understood that the invention is in no wise restricted to the embodiments described and illustrated, which are given solely by way of example, and that various alterations may be made therein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A projectile comprising a body, a core adjacent the part of larger diameter of said body, the mass of said core being high in relation to that of the remaining part of the body, a propulsive basal member enclosing the rear portion of the body and presenting to the propellant an active surface exceeding the area of the rear face of the body, said basal member having a larger outside diameter than the calibre of the body and being moreover adapted to center said body in the gun and to become detached from the body on issuing from the gun.

2. A projectile comprising a body, a core in the rear part of said body, the mass of said core being high in relation to that of the remaining part of the body, a propulsive basal member enclosing the rear portion of the body and presenting to the propellant an active surface exceeding the area of the rear face of the body, said basal member having a larger outside diameter than the calibre of the body and being moreover adapted to center said body in the gun and to become detached from the body on issuing from the gun.

3. A projectile comprising a forwardly tapering body said body having a rear part the mass of which is high in relation to that of the forward part of the body, a propulsive basal member enclosing the rear portion of the body and presenting to the propellant an active surface exceeding the area of the rear face of the body, said basal member having a larger outside diameter than the calibre of the body and being moreover adapted to center said body in the gun and to become detached from the body on issuing from the gun.

4. A projectile comprising a body, a propulsive basal member enclosing the rear portion of the body and presenting to the propellant an active surface exceeding the area of the rear face of the body, said basal member having a larger outside diameter than the calibre of the body and being moreover adapted to center said body in the gun and to become detached from the body on issuing from the gun, and a core adjacent the part of larger diameter of said body, the mass of said core being high'in relation to that of the remaining part of the body and being moreover so calculated that the moment of inertia of the projectile is sufficiently increased to compensate for the lack of stability arising from any incompatibility of the of the gun with the reduced calibre of the projectile.

5. A projectile comprising a body, a propulsive basal member enclosing the rear portion of the body and presenting to the propellant an active surface exceeding the'area of the rear face of the body, said basal member having a larger outside diameter than the calibre of the body and being moreover adapted to center said body in the gun and to become detached from the body on issuing from the gun, and a core in the rear part of said body, the mass of said core being high in relation to that of the remaining part of the body and being moreover so calculated that the moment of inertia of the projectile is sufliciently increased to compensate for the lack of stability arising from any incompatibility of the rifiing of the gun with the reduced calibre of the projectile.

6. A projectile comprising a forwardly tapering body, a propulsive basal member enclosing the rear portion of the body and presenting to the propellant an active surface exceeding the area of the rear face of the body, said basal member having a larger outside diameter than the calibre of the body and being moreover adapted to center said body in the gun and to become detached from the body on issuing from the gun, and a core in the rear part of said body, the mass of said core being high in relation to that of the remaining part of the body and being moreover so calculated that the moment of inertia of the projectile is sufficiently increased to compensate for the lack of stability arising from any incompatibility of the riding of the gun with the reduced calibre of the projectile.

"I. A projectile comprising a body, a forwardly pointed perforating core adjacent the part of larger diameter of said body, the mass of said core being high in relation to that of the remaining part of the body, a propulsive basal member enclosing the rear portion of the body and presenting to the propellant an active surface exceeding the area of the rear face of the body, said basal member having a larger outside diameter than the calibre of the body and being moreover adapted to center said body in the gun and to become detached from the body on issuing from the gun.

8. A projectile comprising a body, a forwardly pointed perforating core in the rear part of said body, the mass of said core being high in relation to that of the remaining part of the body, a propulsive basal member enclosing the rear portion of the body and presenting to the propellant an active surface exceeding the area of the rear face of the body, said basal member having a larger outside diameter than the calibre of the body and being moreover adapted to center said body in the gun and to become detached from the body on issuing from the gun.

9. A projectile comprising a forwardly tapering body, a forwardly pointed perforating core in the rear part of said body, the mass of said core being high in relation to that of the forward part of the body, a propulsive basal member enclosing the rear portion of the body and presenting to the propellant an active surface exceeding the area of the rear face of the body, said basal member having a larger outside diameter than the calibre of the body and beingmoreover adapted to center said body in the gun and to become detached from the body on issuing from the gun,

10. A projectile comprising a body, a propulsive basal member enclosing the rear portion of the body and presenting to the propellant an active surface exceeding the area of the rear face of the body, said basal member having a larger outside diameter than the calibre of the body and being moreover adapted to center said body in the gunand to become detached from the body on issuing from the gun, and a forwardly pointed perforating core adjacent the part of larger diameter of said body, the mass of said core being high in relation to that of the remaining part of the body and being moreover so calculated that the moment of inertia of the projectile is sumciently increased to compensate for the lack of stability arising from any incompatibility of the rifling of the gun with the reduced calibre of the pro ectile.

11. A projectile comprising a body, a propulsive basal member enclosing the rear portion of th body and presenting to the propellant an active surface exceeding the area of the rear face of the body, said basal member having a larger outside diameter than the calibre of the body and being moreover adapted to center said body in the gun and to become detached from the body on issuing from the gun, and a forwardly pointed perforating core in the rear part of said body, the mass of said core being high in relation to that of the remaining part of the body and being moreover so calculated that the moment of inertia of the projectile is sufficiently increasedto compensate for the lack of stability arising from any incompatibility of the rifling of the gun with the reduced calibre of the projectile.

rear part 01' said body, the mass of said core bein: high in relation to that of the remaining part 01 the body and being moreover so calculated that the moment 01' inertia of the projectile is sumciently increased to compensate for the lack of stability arising from any incompatibility of the riiiing or the gun with the reduced calibre of the projectile.

. EDGAR WILLIAM BRANDT. 

